Do you or someone you know suffer from “spending too much money on TV services you don’t actually need”?
This may not be recognized in the DSM-5, but the question remains nonetheless. Too often we hear horror stories of people who are spending far too much cash on paid TV (satellite, cable or even both). Sometimes they don’t realize there are alternatives, and sometimes people are wary of change.
Here are some common reasons we hear (and our responses) regarding why someone hasn’t dropped pay TV.
1) “There aren’t any other options out there.”
Paying for TV is one of those quintessential American pastimes, much like baseball or the West Virginia Roadkill Cookoff. But like many things, it has become antiquated and replaced by better options. As you’re aware, you can watch nearly every top TV show for free with Mohu HDTV antennas. But education is key, and cable companies don’t want anyone knowing there are superior substitutes.
Pay TV survives because it is the lowest common denominator for entertainment — it has a solid infrastructure spanning the country. It has a large content selection, filled with programming you may or may not be interested in. Lots of people like watching TV. It makes sense, right?
Wrong. Price hikes are outpacing inflation. As for that infrastructure? It’s not exactly popular or properly maintained. Regarding content, why would anyone want to pay for something you can get for free?
2) “I can’t get my favorite show over the air!”
Luckily for you, there are tons of various streaming services that complement OTA HDTV. Couple a service like Netflix, Hulu or Crackle with web content and your Mohu antenna, and you’ve got access to more content than any cable service can offer — for less than what you’re paying now.
3) “I can’t get my sports fix without it.”
In addition to having games broadcast in 1080i HD over the air, there are countless apps and streaming services that fill the gaps for every armchair quarterback. Services include:
- FOX Soccer 2Go
- MLB.TV
- NFL Sunday Ticket
- NFL Game Rewind (costs less than Sunday Ticket, provides NFL content after broadcast)
- NHL GameCenter
- NBA League Pass
- And many more
4) “I’m not techie enough to get an HDTV antenna. Cable is simple — just plug it in and go.”
HDTV antennas are one of the most practical investments you can make, both functionally and financially. Installing an HDTV antenna is easier than any satellite box, and on par with the “plug it in and go” mentality from some cable providers. Installing an HDTV antenna boils down to this:
- Find out which HDTV antenna works best for you
- Purchase the HDTV antenna
- Plug your HDTV antenna into your television
- Scan for channels
- Enjoy free TV
The most complicated portion of your experience will likely be determining where to place your antenna. We’ve considered that as well. Mohu Leaf antennas are built to be paper-thin and easily hidden. Mohu Curve antennas offer the same quality and range, but are aesthetically pleasing for public display.
5) “Paying for TV is awesome.”
Wait. No one in the history of ever has said this with sincerity. The average cable bill is upwards of $80 a month, and we can think of several ways you could better spend that money than to pay for cable.
